BIG WEST WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT : Eight-Team Competition Begins Today

Eight teams--reduced from 10 last season--will play at Long Beach Arena today in the Big West Conference women’s basketball tournament.

The lower-rated teams will be trying for a surprise finish that would send them into the NCAA playoffs.

Those in the middle will look upon their chances more realistically. After all, Fresno State (16-12 overall, 9-9 in the conference) defeated No. 21-ranked Cal State Long Beach this season. And Santa Barbara (16-11, 10-8) took a game from No. 15 Nevada Las Vegas.

“You can’t overlook anyone,” Long Beach Coach Joan Bonvicini said. “We have Hawaii (tonight) and we’ve got to be ready to play, which we will be.”

UNLV’s Jim Bolla said: “There’s a lot more parity this year in the league. It used to be a one-team league, then two-team. . . . Last year we had four teams in the NCAA.”

Perhaps, but more than likely Long Beach will play UNLV for the conference title Saturday. They have done so now for the last five years, the 49ers taking three championships before relinquishing the title to UNLV last season, 67-64.

Cal State Fullerton, which figures to join Long Beach and UNLV in the the NCAA tournament, could spoil this scenario. Fullerton (22-6, 14-4), which relies on 6-foot-3 senior center Genia Miller, has beaten both. The Titans defeated Long Beach, 75-63, and the Las Vegas, 86-80.

After struggling early, Long Beach hopes to continue its unbeaten streak. The 49ers finished the regular season with 12 consecutive victories--including an 11-point victory over Fullerton.